Improvement in blocks for holding cartridges



R. T. HARE. BLOCKS FOR HOLDING CARTRIDGES.

No.169,636. Patented Nov. 9, 1875.

h'l fn cursed N. PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D C.

NITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

RICHARD T. HARE, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BLOCKS FOR HOLDING CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,636, dated November 9, 1875; application filed June 26, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD T. HARE, of Springfield, county of Hampden, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Blocks for Holding Oartridges; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawing, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of my improved block for holding cartridges; Fig. 2, a vertical cross-section of my detached block partially divided, showing yielding sides and springs.

, Similar blocks for this purpose have been invented and patented by others prior to this my invention; therefore I desire to be understood that my invention consists, first, in a detached block of any suitable material of any required form, and having recesses to receive and hold cartridges to be used therefrom, said block being provided with a loop, through which to pass the hand to maintain it in position, while at the same time supporting the barrel of the gun in the act of firing; second, in so dividing or partially dividing a block for holding cartridges that a yielding pressure is obtained, whereby the cartridges are more firmly held in position, and by which yieldingpressure cartridges of different calibers, or necked cartridges, may be carried with safety in the same block.

This block is represented in the annexed drawing, Fig. 1, as being made of wood and pierced on its upper edge with cylindrical recesses c of the required depth to receive and hold the cartridges.

In Fig. 2 the vertical cross-section exhibits a block partially divided or separated, so as to render the two sides F G yielding, thereby adapting themselves to the different calibers.

When filled for service, the cartridges are inserted into the recesses c, bullets downward, and with their flanged heads projecting above the surface of the upper edge of the block A snfficient to be taken therefrom one by one and inserted into the chamber of the gun.

In Fig. 2 the recesses care formed the same as in Fig. 1; but in order to obtain an adj ustable pressure upon the cartridges to suit different calibers, or necked ammunition, the block is separated from its surface downward nearly to its base, or to the bottom of the recesses, as represented. Having thus divided the block, springs a are then placed at suitable distances apart around the loweredge, the ends of which extend up the sides F G. pressing them together at their upper surfaces, thus leaving the recesses 0 round at one end and elliptical at the other. By separating the block, as described, and forcing the sides F G together by springs, the pressure upon the cartridges is mostly at the open ends of the re cesses, and consequently near the base of the cartridge.

This divided block is particularly adapted to necked cartridges, which require to be clasped above the necked portion.

To the ends of this detached block at a is secured a loop, B, through which the hand is passed, and within the palm of the same hand rests the barrel of the gun, thus bringing the two, the barrel of the arm and the independent or detached block side by side in position for use, the same hand grasping the barrel of the gun and the cartridge-block together, the loop being over the back of the hand and serving only to maintain the block in an upright position in the palm of the same hand that supports the barrel of the gun.

The object of this detached or independent cartridge-block is to provide means. by which guns in military service particularly may be loaded and fired with rapidity without carrying the cartridges in a receptacle or magazine attached to the arm, which arrangement renders a gun unwieldly and heavy when so loaded, besides accommodating but a limited number of cartridges.

The usual cartridge-box provided with a number of these independent blocks may be employed, by which arrangement the regulation cartridge-box equipments are not changed.

By this construction of an independent block for holding cartridges, sustained in position by the same hand that supports the barrel of the arm, a single breech-loading musket possesses greater advantages in actual service than a magazine-gun, for when each block holding a given number shall have been ex hausted, it is quickly replaced by a loaded block from the cartridge box or belt, thereby saving the ti me and trouble of reloading a magazine attached to or part of the arm. Besides,

these independent blocks may be employed in positions and at times when to reload a magazine, or to attach a block to and detach a block from a gun, would be difficult and require more leisure.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An independent or detached block for receiving and carrying cartridges, having a loop for maintaining the sanlein position adapted for the use herein described, constructed substantially as herein set forth.

RICHARD '1. HARE.

Witnesses SAML. W. PORTER,

J. F. ORANsToN. 

